Rene Descartes

Mathematician

1596-03-31 – 1650-02-11

Rene Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist who helped shape early modern philosophy. Born in France on 1596-03-31, he is known for works including Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy. He died in Stockholm on 1650-02-11.

Quotes by Rene Descartes

I am indeed amazed when I consider how weak my mind is and how prone to error.
Read quote
The two operations of our understanding, intuition and deduction, on which alone we have said we must rely in the acquisition of knowledge.
Read quote
Each problem that I solved became a rule, which served afterwards to solve other problems.
Read quote
A state is better governed which has few laws, and those laws strictly observed.
Read quote
I think; therefore I am.
Read quote
Travelling is almost like talking with those of other centuries.
Read quote
The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.
Read quote
Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach it.
Read quote
The senses deceive from time to time, and it is prudent never to trust wholly those who have deceived us even once.
Read quote
If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.
Read quote
If ... it is not in my power to arrive at the knowledge of any truth, I may at least do what is in my power, namely, suspend judgement ...
Read quote
When any one has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach it.
Read quote
My first rule was to accept nothing as true which I did not clearly recognize to be so; to accept nothing more than what was presented to my mind so clearly and distinctly that I could have no occasion to doubt it. The second rule was to divide each problem or difficulty into as many parts as possible. The third rule was to commence my reflections with objects which were the simplest and easiest to understand, and rise thence, little by little, to knowledge of the most complex. The fourth rule was to make enumerations so complete, and reviews so general, that I should be certain to have omitted nothing.
Read quote
Conquer yourself rather than the world.
Read quote
I think, therefore I am.
Read quote